- Sea Turtle Association of Japan, Kuroshima Research Station
Kuroshima Research Station started in 1973, under the name of the UnderwaterPark Foundation, Yaeyama Underwater Park Research Institute, for the purpose of managing and utilizing the underwater area in
Sekisei (Jap. 石西)lagoon betweenIshigaki (Jap. 石垣) Island andIriomote (Jap. 西表) Island includingKuroshima (Jap. 黒島) Island. From the beginning, it worked as an unparalleled ocean research station, and existed until 2002 under the financial support of Nagoya Railroad Business Operations Co. Ltd.At present Kuroshima Research Station belongs to the NPO Sea Turtle Association of Japan. Its activities worthy of mention are its 30 years’research into the nesting ofsea turtles , especially confirmation of the nesting of thehawksbill turtle for the first time inJapan , in addition to confirming the nesting ofgreen sea turtle s. Their research regardingacanthasters andcorals deserves special mention. In 2005, they sponsored the Japanese Sea Turtle Conference, which is held every year at the location of sea turtles nesting rookeries in Japan.Location: 136 Kuroshima,
Taketomi -cho,Yaeyama -gun,Okinawa , Japan 907-1311 (phone/fax: +81-980-85-4341)Facilities
Collection Exhibit Room
Specimens of
corals ,sea turtles , andsea shells are displayed with explanations of the marine life in thecoral reef . There is a library area where students and other visitors can study using illustrated books and materials.Organism Rearing Room
These temporally accommodate
sea turtles which are to be released withmarkers andtransmitters . Young sea turtles hatched at the facility are also open to public viewing. Visitors can see the three kinds ofsea turtles up close, including the new-born sea turtles after July. Besides marine life, the living organism of Kuroshima Island, such as theSakishima (Jap. 先島)pit viper andcoconut crab , are reared and exhibited so that visitors can see the fauna of Kuroshima Island.Conference room
Slide projector, OHP, and blackout curtains are available. Usable for small meetings, overnight training, and seminars.
Services
Marine guides
Underwater excursion assisted by researchers from the station. Training in
snorkeling is available. Tours include underwater observation of coral andtropical fish and explanations about marine life.Night guides
Nighttime observations and lectures hosted by researcher from the station. Recommended because of the presence of the poisonous
Sakishima pit viper on the island, and as artificial light cannot be used on the Nishinohama strandas it is the nesting spot for thesea turtles .External links
* [http://www.umigame.org/ Sea Turtle Association of Japan]
* [http://www.iucn.jp/english/index.html Japan Committee for IUCN]
* [http://web.mac.com/wallacejnichols/iWeb/wallacejnichols/Media-Print/E37B51AE-08EA-4A4D-9A60-88D580A680E7.html Mexican, Japanese and U.S. Fishermen Celebrate Sea Turtle's Epic Journey and Commit to Conservation]
* [http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/006/english/index.html The nature of Yaeyama Islands]
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